Chess, Iron Fists & Soundtracks: RZA's 10 Coolest Projects

From leading the Hip-Hop Chess Federation to a side project with System of a Down's bassist to directing the upcoming 'The Man With the Iron Fists,' here are the 10 slickest things RZA has done (aside from fronting Wu-Tang Clan)

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Lester Cohen

Hip-Hop Chess Federation Champ

Chess enthusiast RZA (he frequently links the game to Wu-Tang's philosophy and approach to life) is one of the directors and the champion of the Hip-Hop Chess Federation. So not only is he cooler than you, but he's smarter, too. (Yes, that's Yoko Ono he's playing here.)

Chris Polk

Teaming with Samuel L. Jackson for 'Afro Samurai'

With Samuel L. Jackson providing the voice for Spike TV's 'Afro Samurai,' you can't get the guy who writes ditties for 'Dora The Explorer' to score this anime. That's why RZA, pictured here looking awesome, was the top choice for providing a kung fu soundtrack that can kick your ears in the ass.

Dimitrios Kambouris

Scoring Quentin Tarantino's Bloodfest 'Kill Bill'

The first time Quentin Tarantino made a film that included original scoring, he turned to Wu-Tang's RZA to provide it. The result? RZA's music mixed with country, funk and kitschy motifs taken from other classic movie scores to compliment the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad.

Michael Loccisano

Philosopher/Author of 'The Tao of Wu'

The follow-up to 'The Wu-Tang Manual,' RZA's 2009 book isn't so much about Wu-Tang or his own life as it is LIFE ITSELF through the eyes of RZA. Covering kung fu, chess, philosophy, movies, music and everything in between, 'The Tao of Wu' also finds RZA detailing his attempted murder charge back in 1993.

Franchising Bobby Digital

Reaching back to his first solo album 'Bobby Digital In Stereo,' RZA's hedonistic alter ego Bobby Digital is a franchise waiting to happen: "I hate to sound so business-push with it, but I see Bobby Digital as being a potential franchise for hip-hop. He ain't too watered-down. He ain't too soft. He ain't too good. He's got a little bit of everything in him that people can relate to, so I'm gonna try to develop him like that. I think he will have more adventures," RZA told Billboard.

Kevin Winter

His Hilarious Role in 'Funny People'

Featured in Judd Apatow's 'Funny People' as the deli counter counterpart to Seth Rogen's aspiring comedian, RZA had the following zinger when Rogen said he was ghostwriting comedy for free: "How the f--k you supposed to be in show business when you ain't got no business to show?"

Kevin Winter

His System of a Down Side Project, Achozen

Although they've technically been together since 2005, the experimental hip hop outfit Achozen is still wrapping its first album. But with RZA, System of a Down's Shavo Odadjian and Wu affiliates Kinetic 9 and Reverend William Burke onboard, it's probably worth waiting for.

Frazer Harrison

Comic Book-Adapting Director

At this year's Comic Con, RZA and comic artist Grant Morrison announced the Wu-Tang ambassador will helm a big screen adaptation of Morrison's latest comic. Called 'Happy!,' the series is about a hit man who gets injured and starts seeing a cheerful blue horse who tries to crack his cynical exterior. In other words, RZA continues to make the best choices in life.

James Devaney

Acting/Hanging with Russell Crowe on 'American Gangster'

Before he directed Russell Crowe as the lead in 'The Man With the Iron Fists,' RZA acted alongside him in Ridley Scott's saga 'American Gangster.' The photo to the left also makes a convincing argument that the two of them should star in a 'Lethal Weapon' remake.

Chan Kam Chuen

Directing 'The Man With the Iron Fist'

In perhaps his boldest move yet, RZA took on the challenge of directing a major motion picture. Not only that, but he scored it, acts in it and co-wrote it with horror meister Eli Roth. (No, we don't think RZA sleeps, either.) It comes out Nov. 2, and we couldn't be more excited.